Managing a rental property takes time, organization, and quick responses when tenants call with problems. For landlords who don’t need, or don’t want, the commitment of a full-service management company, hiring a part time property manager can strike the right balance. This option gives you professional support for key tasks while still keeping you closely involved in the day-to-day oversight of your property.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what a part time property manager does, when it makes sense to hire one, how much they cost, and how to find the right fit for your rental. Whether you own a single property or a small portfolio, you’ll learn how to get the management help you need without paying for services you don’t use.
What Is a Part Time Property Manager?
A part time property manager is someone who takes on limited management tasks for your rental property without providing the full-service coverage that a traditional property management company offers. Instead of handling everything from leasing to accounting to tenant support, they focus only on the responsibilities you delegate.
For example, you might hire a part time property manager to coordinate maintenance calls, collect rent, or handle move-in inspections, while you continue to manage other aspects of the property yourself. Some landlords use this option as a cost-saving measure, while others simply don’t need round-the-clock support for a single rental or small portfolio.
This setup differs from:
- Full-service property management: Comprehensive oversight of all day-to-day operations, typically billed as a percentage of monthly rent.
- Leasing-only services: A manager or broker who markets the unit, screens tenants, and sets up the lease, then hands it back to you.
- Virtual assistants or admin contractors: Remote support for tasks like bookkeeping or tenant communications, but with no on-site presence.
Hiring a part time property manager offers flexibility: you can cover the gaps in your own availability while avoiding the higher fees that come with a full-service firm.
When a Part Time Property Manager Makes Sense
A part time property manager isn’t the right fit for every landlord, but in certain situations this option works well:
- Small portfolios: If you own just one or two rentals, a full-service company may feel like overkill. Part time support helps cover tasks without the higher management fees.
- Local owners with limited time: Maybe you live near the property but don’t have the bandwidth to handle every call, showing, or repair. A part time manager can step in where your schedule falls short.
- Seasonal or temporary needs: Some landlords only need extra help during peak leasing seasons or when traveling. A part time arrangement lets you scale management support up or down.
- Specific expertise gaps: If you’re comfortable handling most aspects of your rental but not things like legal compliance, bookkeeping, or tenant screening, you can delegate those tasks selectively.
Before you decide, ask yourself:
- How much time do you realistically have each week to devote to the property?
- Do you live close enough to respond quickly to maintenance or tenant issues?
- Are you comfortable handling late payments, evictions, or legal questions on your own?
If you find that your time, skills, or availability fall short in any of these areas, hiring a part time property manager can give you targeted support without the cost of a full-service contract.
Services You Can Delegate Part Time
A part time property manager can take on a mix of responsibilities depending on what you want to keep in-house and what you’d rather outsource. Common tasks include:
Tenant Placement and Renewals
They can advertise your rental, screen applicants, and prepare lease agreements. For renewals, they’ll manage the paperwork and negotiate updated terms.
Rent Collection and Late Follow-Ups
Many landlords hire part time managers to collect rent, process payments, and handle reminders or late notices.
Maintenance Coordination and Vendor Dispatch
Instead of fielding 2 a.m. calls yourself, you can direct those to your manager. They’ll contact trusted vendors, schedule repairs, and oversee the work.
Turnovers and Inspections
When tenants move out, a part time manager can manage walkthroughs, arrange cleaning, and handle unit readiness for the next renter. They can also perform routine inspections to spot issues early.
Bookkeeping and Monthly Reports
Some managers provide financial tracking, from rent roll reports to expense summaries, helping you stay organized for tax season.
What a Part Time Property Manager Costs
The cost of hiring a part time property manager depends on how you structure the arrangement and the level of support you need. Most landlords encounter a few common pricing models:
- Hourly rate: Some independent managers charge by the hour, often ranging from $25 to $75 depending on experience and location. This works well if you only need occasional help with inspections, tenant showings, or paperwork.
- Flat fee per unit: Other managers may set a monthly flat fee for each property or unit they oversee. This typically falls between $100 and $250 per unit, depending on the services included.
- Percentage of collected rent: While more common for full-service firms, some part time managers charge a smaller percentage, often 4% to 8% of monthly rent, for ongoing tasks like rent collection or maintenance coordination.
- Per-task fee: Leasing-only managers often charge one month’s rent to place a tenant, while others might offer à la carte services (such as $100 for a move-in inspection or $150 to oversee a repair project).
Several factors influence the final cost:
- Unit type and condition: Older homes or properties with frequent maintenance issues may require higher fees.
- Geography: Rates in large metro areas often outpace those in suburban or rural markets.
- Service scope: The more responsibilities you delegate, the more you’ll pay.
The flexibility of part time arrangements gives you control over costs. You can start with limited support, such as tenant placement or maintenance coordination, and expand services if managing on your own becomes overwhelming.
Legal, Licensing, and Compliance Checks
Before hiring a part time property manager, take time to confirm they’re qualified to handle the responsibilities you’ll delegate. Property management often involves legal and financial obligations that, if mishandled, can create liability for you as the owner.
Licensing requirements
Many states require property managers to hold a real estate license or property management certification, even if they’re only working part time. Check your state’s real estate commission or licensing board to confirm what’s required.
Fair housing compliance
Tenant screening, advertising, and lease management must all follow federal Fair Housing laws. A qualified manager should know these rules and apply them consistently.
Financial management
If your manager handles rent payments or security deposits, ask how they manage client funds. In many states, managers must keep rental income in a separate trust account, not their personal bank account.
Insurance and vendor compliance
If your manager hires vendors on your behalf, confirm they use insured and licensed contractors. You may also want them to carry liability insurance to protect against claims related to their work.
Tax reporting
If you hire an independent contractor, you’ll likely need to issue a 1099 form for tax purposes. Collect a W-9 upfront so you have the information you need at year-end.
Where to Find a Part Time Property Manager
Finding the right part time property manager often means looking beyond traditional full-service firms. Here are the most common places to start your search:
Local Management Companies with À La Carte Packages
Some established firms offer scaled-down service packages, such as leasing-only or rent collection. These companies often provide the professionalism and systems of a full-service provider, but at a reduced scope.
Independent Managers and Assistants
Many landlords hire independent managers who take on a handful of properties on a part time basis. These professionals may advertise through local networks, social media groups, or landlord associations.
Leasing-Only Specialists
Real estate brokers and leasing agents sometimes offer tenant placement services without ongoing management. This can be a good fit if you only need help filling vacancies and preparing leases.
Short-Term or Seasonal Coverage
If you only need coverage during vacations, busy leasing seasons, or for specific projects, consider job boards and staffing sites. You can often find experienced managers or assistants willing to take on part time contracts.
Pro tip: No matter where you source candidates, treat the search like hiring for any professional service. Request references, check online reviews, and confirm their experience with your type of rental (single-family, multifamily, or condos).
How to Vet Candidates
Hiring a part time property manager requires the same diligence you’d use for a full-service company. Careful vetting helps you avoid problems and find someone who can reliably support your rental.
Screening Checklist
When evaluating candidates, confirm:
- Licensing and certifications: Verify they meet your state’s requirements.
- References: Speak with current or past clients about reliability and communication.
- Experience: Look for familiarity with your type of property, whether single-family homes, small multifamily, or condos.
- Tools and systems: Ask which software they use for rent collection, maintenance tracking, and reporting.
- Availability: Clarify how many hours per week they work and whether they offer after-hours coverage.
Interview Questions
Dig deeper with questions like:
- How quickly do you respond to maintenance emergencies?
- What’s your process for screening tenants?
- How do you handle late rent payments or eviction proceedings?
- How often will I receive financial or property updates?
- Can you walk me through a recent challenge and how you solved it?
Trial Period and KPIs to Monitor
Start with a short-term agreement (e.g., 90 days) to test the relationship. Track measurable outcomes such as:
- On-time rent collection rates
- Vacancy days between tenants
- Response time to tenant calls or maintenance requests
- Cost control on vendor invoices
- Tenant satisfaction or feedback
Contract Terms That Protect You
A clear contract sets expectations and protects both you and your part time property manager. Without one, you risk confusion over responsibilities, fees, and accountability.
Key items to include:
- Scope of work: List every task the manager is responsible for, from tenant placement to emergency calls. Be specific about what falls outside their duties.
- Availability and SLAs: Define how quickly they must respond to tenant issues and during what hours they are on call.
- Compensation: Outline the exact fee structure (hourly, flat rate, percentage, or per-task) and when payment is due.
- Termination terms: State how either party can end the agreement, with notice requirements.
- Insurance and liability: Confirm whether the manager carries liability insurance and how claims will be handled.
- Data and record ownership: Specify that tenant records, financial reports, and vendor contacts belong to you, not the manager.
Red flags to avoid:
- Vague or missing service descriptions
- Hidden fees or markups on vendor invoices
- No mention of termination terms
- Reluctance to provide references or proof of insurance
A strong contract doesn’t just clarify the working relationship, it helps prevent disputes and gives you leverage if performance falls short.
Tools and Systems That Make Part-Time Work
For a part time property manager to succeed, the right tools and systems matter just as much as their experience. These tools keep communication clear, track responsibilities, and give you visibility into your rental’s performance.
Property management software: Even part time managers can use platforms, like Buildium, to handle rent collection, maintenance requests, and financial reporting. These systems keep everything centralized.
Digital rent collection: Services such as online payment portals or bank transfer platforms reduce the need for manual collection and cut down on late payments.
Maintenance tracking apps: Ticketing systems let tenants submit issues online, which your manager can monitor and dispatch to vendors. This helps avoid missed calls and ensures a paper trail.
Inspection tools: Mobile inspection apps let managers record unit condition with photos and notes during move-ins, move-outs, or periodic checks.
Shared cloud storage: Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar platforms to store leases, receipts, and reports. That way, you both have access to important documents anytime.
Alternatives to a Part Time Property Manager
A part time property manager can be a strong fit for many landlords, but it isn’t the only option. Depending on your property, budget, and comfort level, you might consider:
- Full-service property management: Best for owners who want complete hands-off management. You’ll pay a higher fee (usually 8–12% of rent), but the company handles everything from leasing to maintenance to legal compliance.
- Leasing-only services: A leasing agent markets your unit, screens tenants, and prepares the lease. After that, you take over day-to-day management. This works well if your main challenge is filling vacancies.
- Virtual assistants: Remote contractors can manage tasks like bookkeeping, tenant communications, or scheduling vendors. They’re cost-effective but can’t respond on-site.
- Resident managers or handymen: In small multifamily buildings, some landlords offset rent for a tenant who agrees to handle minor maintenance or basic management tasks.
- Owner-managed with support vendors: Some landlords manage everything themselves but hire trusted vendors (cleaners, maintenance techs, bookkeepers) to fill specific gaps.
If you find yourself spending more time than expected managing your rental, or if tenant issues start to affect your peace of mind, upgrading from a part time setup to full-service management may make sense.
Step-by-Step: Hire a Part Time Property Manager
Hiring the right part time property manager becomes much easier if you follow a clear process. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
- Define scope and KPIs: Decide which tasks you want to outsource (rent collection, maintenance calls, tenant placement) and set measurable goals such as response times or vacancy rates.
- Set your budget: Choose whether you prefer hourly, flat fee, or per-task pricing. Knowing your ceiling prevents surprises later.
- Source candidates: Look at local management firms offering à la carte packages, independent managers, or leasing specialists. Gather at least three to five options.
- Run checks and interviews: Verify licensing, call references, and ask pointed questions about their experience, response times, and systems.
- Start with a pilot period: Draft a short-term agreement (90 days is typical) to test performance before committing long-term.
- Measure results and adjust: Track KPIs like on-time rent payments, tenant satisfaction, and maintenance turnaround. Use this data to decide whether to extend, renegotiate, or replace your manager.
FAQs
Can I hire a property manager just for rent collection?
Yes. Many part time property managers offer rent collection as a standalone service. This can be paired with late-payment follow-ups if you’d rather avoid uncomfortable conversations with tenants.
What is a fair hourly rate for a part time property manager?
Rates vary by region and experience, but most landlords pay between $25 and $75 per hour. Higher rates often reflect specialized expertise or emergency availability.
Who handles emergency calls at 2 a.m.?
If you include after-hours coverage in the contract, your part time manager will take those calls. Otherwise, you’ll remain responsible unless you arrange for vendor dispatch services.
How do I handle security deposits with a part time property manager?
In many states, security deposits must be kept in separate trust accounts. Confirm whether your manager is licensed to hold deposits, or keep them in your own account and handle refunds yourself.
Do I still need landlord insurance if I hire a part time property manager?
Yes. Property and liability insurance protects you as the owner. A part time property manager may carry their own coverage, but that doesn’t replace your need for landlord insurance.
Get Help: Find a Part Time Property Manager Near You
Managing a rental property takes work, but you don’t have to do it all alone. A part time property manager gives you flexibility, taking on the tasks you don’t have time for while leaving you in control of your property. The right arrangement can save you stress, protect your investment, and keep tenants satisfied without the cost of a full-service contract.
If you’re ready to explore your options, start by comparing managers in your area. Our free property manager search tool makes it easy to find local professionals who offer part time or à la carte services. With the right partner in place, you’ll have more time for what matters most while still keeping your rental business profitable.
